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This is an online version of the handbook, at present stripped of the images and photos. The full handbook can be downloaded from here.
<!--[if !vml]--> Oxfordshire climate change community groups handbook v1.0 July 2010 Download pdf version Contents 1. Welcome and background climate information 1.2 Background information about climate change 1.3 Background information about Climate Impacts and Adaptation 1.4 Background information about Peak Oil 2.3 Ideas for introductory events 2.4 Outreach and engagement ideas Case Study 1: Abingdon Carbon Cutters ‘How To’ meetings organised between 2009 – 2010 2.5 Fetes, fairs and energy days 2.6 Communicating Climate Change 3.2 Eco-renovation and energy efficiency 3.3 Innovative waste reduction CASE STUDY 2: Dorchester Carbon Project Case study 3: Goring & Streatley Sustainability Group (GSSG) Case Study 4 : Apple Days in Brightwell cum Sotwell Case Study 5: Charlbury Sharecroppers: Case Study 7: Smarter driving, Oxford City Council 5. Local and National networks Case Study 8: Local Groups Financial Sustainability Plan 6.2 Hardware – resources to borrow 6.3 Posters, information, web resources and local speakers Appendix 1: Climate Science information Appendix 2: Working with your Local Authority Appendix 4: Case Study: Thermal Imaging Study of Brightwell Cum Sotwell Case Study 9: Thermal Imaging Studies Appendix 5: Case Study 10: RM (Research Machines) goes Green, by Anthony Simpson Appendix 6: List of Community groups active on climate change in Oxfordshire Appendix 7: Updating this resource
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1. <!--[endif]-->Welcome and background climate information1.1 WelcomeThis handbook has been produced by Oxfordshire ClimateXchange, Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) and the Community Action Group (CAG) Oxfordshire Project to assist local community responses to climate change in Oxfordshire. Much of the material will be useful for community based climate projects across the UK, but many examples and networks cited are specific to Oxfordshire. The aims of the handbook are: <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->To showcase the variety of approaches to climate change that community groups can adopt using case studies from successful projects <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->To provide some basic facts and figures that community groups can use in their work <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->To provide an effective signpost to other organisations that can support community groups <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->To save time in setting up new groups The handbook is intended to be updated annually, and to exist alongside existing forms of community information, displayed in Table 1.
Note on using this handbook: This handbook contains hyperlinks to web pages, normally shown as blue or purple underlined text. Clicking on these links whilst online will normally direct you to the resource and website mentioned. Website addresses are also given, sometimes in full and sometimes in a shortened version (tinyurl). The table of contents at the beginning contains links to different sections of the handbook, so clicking on the titles will take you to the relevant section. The ideas in this handbook are continually evolving, and many have emerged through sharing and developing ideas and resources. We’d love to include your experiences too – please send them in, see Appendix 7 for guidelines. There are many other sources of information: we’ve not tried to reproduce them all, but have signposted where appropriate. If you feel other resources should be included, please let us know. Further sources of local and national information and support are listed in the relevant sections. Thank you to all the contributors to this handbook and I wish you best of luck with your community project, whatever stage you’re at. Jo Hamilton, Oxfordshire ClimateXchange, July 2010 1.2 Background information about climate changeClimate change is undoubtedly one of the key challenges of the 21st Century, requiring multi-level solutions. It’s widely recognised that by 2050 the UK needs to reduce its emissions of Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) by at least 80% based on 1990 levels (UK Climate Act 2008). It’s an unprecedented challenge, and set against a backdrop of resource depletion, globally threatened biodiversity and global financial and political instability, it’s sometimes hard to feel that individuals taking action can make a difference. But individual action is only one part of the story. The UK might only account for 2% of global emissions, but the UK government is a leader on the world stage, being one of the first governments to bring about the legally binding Climate Act to reduce country wide emissions. An act is only one starting point – what’s needed are millions of actions, and that’s where you and your communities are important. If you only consider the carbon saved by a few people changing their consumer habits, believing that our actions will have an impact requires a certain leap of faith. When you also consider how our action impacts on others and shapes the world we live in, the story changes. Without concerted citizen action we wouldn’t have the Climate Act, we wouldn’t have the inspiring examples in this handbook, we wouldn’t have most of the tools to make it easier, nor those of community organisations across the UK and the world who are shining examples of a positive, lower carbon future. Reduce our carbon footprint, increase our citizen footprintWe might be familiar with decreasing our carbon footprint (the amount of carbon dioxide we’re personally responsible for), but what does ‘increasing our citizen footprint’ mean? It could be working and acting together, thinking outside the box, leading beyond our authority (taking the initiative and not waiting for anyone to ask us) and making the changes that we want to see. The community examples in this book didn’t come about because someone asked for them, they came about because people like you made them happen. See Appendix 1 for further info about climate change. 1.3 Background information about Climate Impacts and Adaptation<!--[if !vml]--> We are committed to a certain amount of unavoidable warming over the next 3 or 4 decades, and will have to prepare for and adapt to this. Our actions now will influence the projected future impacts of climate change. In general Oxfordshire can expect to experience: <!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Hotter, drier summers <!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Milder, wetter winters <!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->More ‘extreme events’- heat waves, flash flooding, torrential rain… <!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Greater unpredictability of weather <!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Further temperature rise of between 1-2°C
1.4 Background information about Peak Oil
What is Peak oil?
"The term Peak Oil refers to the maximum rate of the production of oil in any area under consideration, recognising that it is a finite natural resource, subject to depletion." --Colin Campbell (http://www.peakoil.net/about-peak-oil )
Although the world is not running out of oil, we are close to running out of easy-to-get, cheap oil. The peak of oil discovery was passed in the 1960s, and the world started using more than was found in new fields in 1981. The gap between discovery and production has widened since. Many countries, including some important producers, have already passed their peak, suggesting that the world peak of production is now imminent. That means we’re about to go into energy decline – that extended period when, year on year, we have decreasing amounts of oil to fuel our industrialised way of life. There will always be oil left in the ground, for a start you can’t extract all that’s there and also the fact that the economists conveniently gloss over: regardless of how much money you can make selling oil, once it takes an oil barrel's worth of energy to extract a barrel of oil, it’s going to get left in the ground.
What does this mean and how does it relate to climate change? Climate change is a broad issue, affecting every aspect of our lives. As the root cause of climate change is burning fossil fuels, responding positively to Peak Oil and climate change simultaneously focuses attention on building resource efficiency and resilience in the face of the twin challenges of climate change and peak oil. Greenpeace’s prescient paper ‘The Carbon Logic’<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[i]<!--[endif]--> noted back in 1997 that even if we used the economically recoverable reserves of fossil fuels, this would push the climate beyond safe limits.
Note: much of the above information was taken from the two excellent resources below.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2. <!--[endif]-->Getting active2.1 Getting started“It starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more” (Marge Piercy, The Low Road)
How do a few concerned people go from ideas to a group? It only takes a few people to get some energy rolling in your locality, so think who you know in the village who is interested in these issues, involved in community affairs, or involved in Community Led Planning projects, as they will be key nodes to other people. Some groups have started by bringing a few friends together over a drink or some food to think about how they can take action locally, whilst others have advertised by posters in the newsagent or a note in the village magazine / newsletter. From this some groups have an open event, such as a talk or a film, and ask people to come along to follow up meetings. There are ideas for first meetings below.
2.2 DiversityThe most resilient responses to climate change will come about by thinking about and incorporating the skills and strengths of the whole community – so reach out wide. It’s important not to get disheartened if you’re not reaching everyone, as groups do take time to build up and are often a result of a few determined people at their core. It’s also important to actively try and engage as diverse a range of community members as possible, as they will be the best routes to encourage others on board. Some general sources of information for reaching a wider and more diverse audience are below, additionally you’ll see ideas for specific sectors in section 4.
2.3 Ideas for introductory eventsBackgroundFirst events are crucial to gauge the interest in the community and to invite people who might not ordinarily consider getting involved. Before planning the first event it’s a good idea to ask friends and colleagues what would encourage them to come along, then try to provide it. People will come for many different reasons – some to find out what action they can take on climate change, some to find out what they can do personally, some checking it out for interest, and others coming because they want to meet new people. Make it fun and interactiveSome people hear the words ‘community action on climate change’ as ‘doom-mongering guilt trippers wanting to stop me from having fun’ – so it’s up to you to prove otherwise and use your imagination to attract people along. Our best thinking and creative solutions happen when we’re stimulated and enjoying ourselves, so think ‘social event’ instead of ‘meeting’ and you’re on the right track. Ensure to have a good balance of information and interactions: so get people talking to each other as much as you can, and have a variety of activities. How about serving popcorn and a glass of wine with films? Beer and cake at meetings? Some groups have asked their local suppliers of beverages (including breweries, juice makers and their local Co-op store) to sponsor them through providing refreshments at events. HintsIf you’re doing an info based event, such as a film screening or talk, make sure to leave time and space for people to talk and share their responses afterwards. See Section 2.7 – Feeling under the Weather. Interactive Ideas<!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Talking in pairsAsk people to turn to the person next to them or someone they don’t know and briefly discuss how they felt about the film / talk, what they were struck by, and what questions they have. This gives people a chance to think through and process thoughts and ideas before open questions, and can help speed up the discussion time. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Small group discussionsYou could have short snippets of talks about some key areas (for example home energy, transport, food, waste) then have the group spilt up according to which are they’d like to find out more about, and have clusters of chairs in different parts of the room. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Open Ended sentences / motivational interviewingStudies have shown that if participants tap into their own motivations for taking action, they’re more likely to persuade themselves to get involved – so give it a go See Section 2.7 – Feeling under the Weather. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Get out the post-its!Ask people to write what areas they’d like to focus on or what questions they have on post it notes. Cluster them on large sheets of paper to capture ideas and identify where the energy lies. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Try ‘Open Space’Many Transition Initiatives use a form of meeting technique called ‘Open Space’, whereby the agenda is set by participants suggesting topics to talk about, and many discussions are held simultaneously. The Transition Network writes: ‘We’ve found Open Space Technology to be a highly effective approach to running meetings for Transition Initiatives. In theory it ought not to work. A large group of people comes together to explore a particular topic or issue, with no agenda, no timetable, no obvious coordinator and no designated minute takers. However, we have run separate Open Spaces for Food, Energy, Housing, Economics and the Psychology of Change. By the end of each meeting, everyone has said what they needed to, extensive notes had been taken and typed up, lots of networking has had taken place, and a huge number of ideas had been identified and visions set out.’ For further information see: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/community/support/12-ingredients and you can see a video explaining it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ux_LFjFeCvg
A quick introduction to Open Space can be found on Harrison Owen's website. The essential reading on Open Space is Harrison Owen’s Open Space Technology: A User’s Guide. 2.4 Outreach and engagement ideas‘Involving and engaging a local community in discussion, debate and actions to mitigate the effects of climate change is challenging, rewarding and frustrating!... it’s about changing hearts and minds and promoting a positive ‘can do’ approach which will lead to permanent and lasting changes in behaviour, habits and attitudes’ Candy Kerpache, Challenge North Leigh.
People are motivated to take action on climate change for many different reasons. We’ve found it effective to lead into climate change from where their interest already lies. Put simply, make climate change: <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Visual: try to use pictures over words. Evoke pictures in people’s minds. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Local: what’s precious and resonant locally? How could climate change impact different aspects of your community? What local impacts have been experienced? What links are there between your community and other parts of the world? <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Understandable: go for maximum inclusivity by ensuring that any jargon is explained in any communication that you do. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Relevant: make it relevant for the audience / group that you’re trying to attract. If there’s a strong allotment / faith group / sports team / Women’s Institute, have a think about what’s relevant for these groups, how they might be impacted, and what their involvement could look like. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Balanced: if you want people to take action, try to consider how this could be tied into their existing actions, and try to balance the URGENCY of the situation, with a chance for their AGENCY. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Beware of information overload: too much doom and gloom information can be off-putting and paralysing, but not including any information about the negative aspects will leave people questioning. Skills workshops:You could try organising a series of skills workshops, to introduce people to topics in an involving way. Abingdon Carbon Cutters have done lots of these workshops (see table 7) , and Dorchester Carbon Project have run skills workshops on mending clothes, reducing food waste / cooking with leftovers, natural cleaning products.
2.5 Fetes, fairs and energy daysPiggy backing on existing events is a great way to spread the word about your group, attract more people, and encourage people to take action. Check out when the village or school fetes are and set up a fun interactive stall. Stalls at fetesYou don’t have to organise your own event, stalls and tables at existing fetes / farmers markets are a great way of engaging people who might not be able to get out to an evening meeting. Things that work well on stalls are: <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Information about energy and energy efficiency, such as case studies of Eco-renovated homes. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Hands on! Things to look at and touch, such as low energy light bulb libraries, or samples of insulation materials. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Posters / displays that people can interact with, perhaps with Post-it notes so that people can write what they would like to see happening locally. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Asking questions / provoking discussions. For example, asking people how they feel about climate change or what step they’d like to take next. Make stalls interactive:Wantage Area Climate Action had a stall at the Dickensian evening at Christmas. They found that having demo mini solar panels and insulation made out of plastic bottles can be good talking points, alongside a game: people had to pay money – they hid £5 in the occasional low energy light bulb box, got people to pay £1 and pick a box. This worked really well; it got people to the stall and they then were more likely to engage and look at other materials. Many groups have gone the extra step and organised their own events too:Kidlington Eco Fair<!--[if !vml]--> Challenge North LeighAs part of their outreach to the wider community, Challenge North Leigh have held annual fetes on Cuckamus Green, with information, bikes to demonstrate energy, and a great community spirit to engage the whole of the community. Sustainable Kirtlington’s Footprint Fayre<!--[if !vml]--> Low Carbon Wolvercote<!--[if !vml]--> Car Free Day: simply by having a car under wraps, information about car free day, and folks with collecting buckets to charge cars going through the village raised over £500 for the group.
2.6 Communicating Climate ChangeThere are many reports about communicating climate change. The selection below summarises some of the different approaches. If you’d like to gain confidence speaking about and communicating climate change, you could try one of COIN’s courses such as ‘Climate Change Condensed’ or ‘Climate Change Speaker Training’. See their full list of training courses and prices here: http://www.coinet.org.uk/training/climate_change_condensed
2.7 Feeling under the weatherWhat have feelings got to do with climate change? Are they relevant? “If you’re really paying attention, it’s hard to escape a sense of outrage, fear, despair. Author, deep-ecologist, and Buddhist scholar Joanna Macy says: Don’t even try.” Source: Yes magazine Many studies (see Randall’s ‘A new Climate for Psychotherapy’ <!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[iii]<!--[endif]-->, and the report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the ‘Interface Between Psychology and Global Climate Change’ <!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[iv]<!--[endif]-->) suggest that how we feel about an issue will influence how we act, or whether we even bother to get involved in an issue. Different feelings can arise from being confronted with information about the causes, impacts and politics of climate change. Unfortunately, the increase in reportage over the past few years has not resulted in the necessary action, the tone of the reportage is usually anything but empowering, and there are precious few examples of what people are doing to reduce CO2 emissions. Why engaging with feelings is importantWhatever we may feel about climate change, it's good to make space for an emotional dimension, as sometimes people feel drained, overwhelmed, or sense an impending doom that they are powerless to avert. Sometimes people can assume that they are the only ones to feel this way, which can lead to feeling isolated and powerless, or lead into a burnout cycle of overwork.
How feelings can be usedSome of the projections about climate change are painful and overwhelming, and it’s sometimes hard to talk about painful things. In the UK we tend to avoid sharing painful or overwhelming issues in public, but in doing so it makes it harder to come up with positive and engaging solutions. How to start the process of reclaiming response-abilitySimply by sharing how we feel, and allowing others to share how they feel, we can open up a valuable space from which sustained engagement and action can grow – and enabling people to respond to the information. In this way we're using our feelings as a way of bringing people together, instead of remaining isolated and scared. By mentioning how you, and others, feel about climate change in your talk, you give people permission for themselves to engage with how they feel about the issue. Ways to incorporate this into events:One word feelingsWhen people are introducing themselves ask them to say one word which best describes how they feel about climate change and one thing that makes their heart sing. This gives an indication of their feelings and something you can also reflect on later, either with the one word feelings slide /poster (see above) or by reflecting that people have different feelings about climate change. If you’ve had a talk or shown a film, it’s a good idea to invite people to talk to the person next to them about how they feel about the issue. This not only gives them a chance to engage with their feelings, but also breaks down isolation, which can creep in if people are feeling overwhelmed by the impacts and realities of climate change. Open Ended SentencesThis is a great exercise to do as part of a meeting. You’ll need to have a bell (or ting on a glass), and explain clearly. Here’s some text you could use: <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->I’d like you to get into a pair, and number yourselves 1 or 2. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->I’m going to read out the beginning of a sentence, and I would like the number 1s to repeat what I’ve said, then complete the sentence with whatever comes into their head. This is about exploring your initial thoughts and feelings about climate change, so there are no right and wrong answers. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Number 2s just listen attentively, but don’t engage in conversation. You might want to remind your partner of the beginning of the sentence if they dry up. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->After about a minute, I’ll ring a bell, and read out the beginning of another sentence. Number 1s will then start that sentence and complete it in the same way, then I’ll start the third sentence after another minute. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->After three sentences, I’ll ring a bell and encourage you to swop roles, so the number 2s speak, and the number 1s listen. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->The first sentence is: When I think about climate change, the feelings that I have are.... At the end, encourage people to reflect on and share their own (not their partners) experience. Hints – try this out on a small group before you do a larger group, and choose some sentences that are appropriate for your meeting. About 1 ½ minutes per sentence is normally ample, so if you’re doing three sentences, the exercise will take around 10 minutes for both partners to have a chance of speaking and listening. Some sentences you could use:<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->When I think about climate change, the feelings that I have are.... <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Something positive I’ve heard about climate change is..... <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Things that I could do to take action on climate change include..... <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->The support I would need to take action on climate change are..... <!--[if !vml]--> |
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Table 9: Resources for ‘ feeling under the weather’ |
Joanna Macy www.joannamacy.netAn overview of her work, with plenty of links and resources: Book: ‘Coming back to Life: Practices to Reconnect Our Lives, Our World’ (NSP, 1998) The Greatest Danger (article from Yes Magazine): http://www.yesmagazine.org/article.asp?id=2295 |
Chris Johnstone www.chrisjohnstone.info including details of his articles and newly updated book: ‘Find Your Power’ |
The Great Turning Times Website www.greatturningtimes.org with listings of The Work that Reconnects events / trainings / workshops across the UK. |
Home Energy is an area people like to focus on for many reasons:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Homeowners have a degree of control over their energy
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->They can save money through energy efficiency
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->People in rented sector can also save money and take action on home energy
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->There are many tools and resources to help you take action in this area.
Below is a table giving a national average breakdown of household and individual CO2 emissions by activity area, which gives you an overview and benchmark. For a more useful comparison, you’ll need to input more details into a carbon calculator, which will all have different parameters. For the purpose of this pack we’ve tried to consistently use the Act on CO2 Calculator Version 2.0: Data, Methodology and Assumptions Paper (DECC 2009).
Table 10: National Average breakdown of household and individual CO2 emissions by activity area . Source: Act on CO2 Calculator Version 2.0: Data, Methodology and Assumptions Paper (DECC 2009), p 46 July 2009. |
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When aiming to reduce energy consumption in the home, it’s important to focus on the big wins. The chart below shows the importance of focusing on space / room and water heating in the home – which is why insulation, energy efficiency and having an efficient boiler is so important.
<!--[endif]-->Where energy is used in the home:Get people measuring their energy consumption. A host of tools are available for this, see Table 11 below. Research has shown that simply providing feedback about energy consumption leads to a reduction of between 5-15% of energy consumption<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[v]<!--[endif]-->.
<!--[endif]-->Energy monitors and management tools Energy monitors give you a real time display of the energy you’re currently using, and how much it’s costing. They’re simple to fit, so it’s worth getting one and using it for a while, then passing on to friends and neighbours and comparing results. Do check your energy supplier to see if you’re eligible for a free one by switching to a green tariff. ClimateXchange has a small number that can be borrowed, or you can buy them from electrical stores (eg: Maplin), borrow them from West Oxfordshire District Council, or other CAGS .
Single appliance monitors can be a useful way of finding out how much energy single appliances use over time. They retail from between £7-£20. ClimateXchange has a small supply which can be borrowed.
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<!--[endif]-->There are many varieties of foot-printing calculators available, most of which give you an approximate idea of your household’s energy use, in the home and through travel, at a certain point in time. Many different versions of carbon calculators exist and so it’s worth finding out what’s actually being measured, what’s being left out, and the assumptions used. This can be the basis of an evening event where people bring details of their fuel bills and transport, or can be an ongoing community engagement programme.
Online energy management tools rely on you inputting meter readings, and receiving detailed feedback about your energy use over time. See Table 12 for details.
Community led monitoring schemes are a good way of engaging people with energy and encouraging team effort. Many groups across the county have done community focused energy monitoring.
Example: Challenge North Leigh monitored their energy through collecting meter readings in the community and working with local energy provider Scottish and Southern Energy. They were able to achieve an overall reduction across the village of 10%, resulting in a £20,000 award towards renewable energy for the village. Going into the school and encouraging children to monitor really helped increase the numbers of household monitoring their energy, alongside community engagement such as giving away energy-efficient lightbulbs, village fetes, and a display in the Memorial Hall showing how much energy the village is using, with advice on cutting consumption. See their website here: http://www.challengenorthleigh.org/ and a slideshow of their activities here: http://tiny.cc/5xptg .
Table 11: Resources - Paper and web based Carbon Footprinting Calculators | |
COIN’s carbon calculator | A hardcopy calculator that can be printed out and distributed in workshops and similar events for participants to measure their carbon footprints there and then. |
ClimateXchange Home and transport Calculator email jo@climatex.org for a copy | A spreadsheet calculator that you can adapt for your group, dealing with home energy use and travel. Can also be printed out and worked through on paper. |
Tina Fawcett’s Low Carbon Headington Calculator email jo@climatex.org for a copy | A hard copy calculator for home energy and travel use |
Low Carbon West Oxford’s Quicksilver Calculator www.lowcarbonwestoxford.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=73&Itemid=174 | Detailed carbon calculator, covering home, transport and lifestyle choices over the past 12 months. The Quicksilver Calculator builds up a comprehensive picture of your household’s annual carbon footprint. |
Energy Saving Trust Community Carbon Footprint Tool | The Green Communities carbon footprint tool allows groups of individuals measure their carbon emissions and workout their community carbon footprint. Local businesses and community buildings in your community can also calculate their carbon footprint. |
How to get the most out of community carbon footprinting Online: http://tinyurl.com/2v6az54 | Background for creating a community carbon footprint
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Act on Co2: Defra’s calculator | Great online calculator, with email updates. |
imeasure www.imeasure.org.uk | Online carbon management tool from Environmental Change Institute, with useful email updates for users. |
The Carbon Account http://www.thecarbonaccount.com/ | The Carbon Account is an online monitoring tool from local company Torchbox . You can form clubs on these accounts, and compare energy usage over time.
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<!--[endif]-->Many communities have done a thermal imaging study of homes in the community. This can be a useful tool to make energy visible to householders, and can be a start of greater engagement in home energy reduction. See Appendix 4 for conclusions from the Brightwell cum Sotwell Environment Group’s Thermal Imaging study. Additionally, Blewbury Energy Initiative (now Sustainable Blewbury) has done home energy surveys, providing home energy reports and Thermal Imaging Studies of houses and properties in the village.
Thermal imaging can only be done at certain times of year (ideally November through to February/March) and in certain conditions, and if doing it yourself you’ll need to get some training in using and interpreting the pictures that are taken. Communities in South Oxfordshire, Vale of the White Horse and Cherwell Districts can borrow thermal imaging cameras from their local authorities (see section 6, resources) but you’ll need to book your place, and ensure that your group undertakes training in using it.
Alternatively commercial companies offer the service from around £100 - £150 per property, which includes a report. See the Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Directory for companies who provide this service: www.climatex.org .
Home renovation – where to start? Who to trust? What to do? Many people are attracted by the idea of a greener and more energy efficient home, and one of the best ways of doing this is by demonstrating it.
A great way of introducing the topic of home eco-renovation is to ask someone who has done it themselves to give a talk. ClimateX has contacts with people who have eco-renovated their home and who would be able to give an illustrated talk about what they did, the suppliers they used, what they learnt, and the advice they’d give for people contemplating similar actions. Similarly it’s well worth asking Eco-renovation suppliers and professionals to give a talk. You can find listings in the Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Directory. ( http://climatex.org/ecorenovation/)
<!--[endif]-->Open Homes DaysThese events are very popular, and consist of people who have renovated their homes opening them up for people to visit. ClimateXchange and COIN have organised 3 successful county wide events, so have experiences to share. You could take part in an annual Heritage Open Days event (usually mid September) http://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/organisers/, and do liaise with the Sustainable Energy Academy’s Old Home Super Home Network - http://www.sustainable-energyacademy.org.uk/
If you’re thinking of organising a local Open Days event, COIN and ClimateXchange have produced a ‘How to do it’ pack, which you can download here: http://www.coinet.org.uk/what-we-do/ecovation
<!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Example: Faringdon organised an ‘Eco-trail’ as part of their Green Week, and other groups have organised smaller events such as Energy Trails, Eco-Safaris, or smaller Open Homes events.
Why not contact local suppliers of insulation, energy efficiency or micro-generation such as solar PV or solar hot water, and ask them if they’d like to exhibit. See table 13 for lists of suppliers.
Table 12: Eco-renovation Resources | |
Case studies of Eco-renovated homes http://climatex.org/articles/eco-renovation/case-studies-web/ | Many case studies are available online from www.ecovation .org.uk, and you’ll find details of other case studies here You can also request a folder of Eco-renovation Case Studies from ClimateXchange, which is a great resource for community events. |
Oxfordshire Eco-renovation Directory | Directory of over 50 Eco-renovation suppliers, which you can download, or request hard copies.. |
Green Communities Energy Training | Green Communities offers training courses specifically designed for people working in the community who would like to improve their knowledge of energy and develop community energy projects. The list of projects are below, and more details can be found on the Green Communities Website: Energy Auditing for your Community Building Energy Auditing for Old and Listed Buildings Funding your Community Project Local Authorities Planning Process
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<!--[endif]--> <!--[if !vml]-->
<!--[endif]-->Waste and re-use are important parts of the climate challenge. Many groups are tackling waste head on and organising an imaginative range of events, which can also be a great way of involving more members of your community. Table 14 shows examples of a range of waste reduction activities; table 15 is a case Study of Dorchester Carbon project’s activities, whilst table 16 contains some handy resources for waste reduction.
Table 13: Examples of Community Waste Reduction Initiatives | |
Eco Detergent refilling station | This is an opportunity to refill empty bottles with environmentally-friendly household cleaning products, thereby reducing packaging and saving money. Dorchester Carbon Project open twice a week and also use the station as an information point, and to collect items recyclables that are not collected at the kerb-side |
Food waste events | Many CAG members have been trained by Love Food Hate Waste experts giving them the facts on how much food is wasted and ways to use-up leftovers. More details of the Love Food Hate Waste initiative via www.oxfordshirewaste.gov.uk. |
Gardening and composting | Many CAG members are also Master Composters (www.homecomposting.org.uk) and take a keen interest in producing home grown food. Home composting should be the first choice for anyone with food waste even as Oxfordshire’s local authorities bring in food waste collections across the county during 2010. While food waste collection schemes can be successful, it is important to remember that composting suitable food waste at home is even better for the environment. Not all food waste can go into a home compost bin (meat, fish, dairy and cooked foods), but items like vegetable peelings, apple cores and eggshells make great compost when mixed with things like twigs, cardboard and grass cuttings. In small spaces, such as flats and boats, it is useful to have a compact worker for reducing food waste. For details of how to build your own, visit: http://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/component/remository/Information-Sheets/ |
Share Cropping | Charlbury Area Waste Action Group started their share cropping scheme in 2008. This involved linking people in the village who had either spare land or fruit trees with others who were prepared to work the land or pick the fruit. The group also encourages purchasing of local foods at farmers markets, etc and actively also work with their local Cooperative store to encourage local purchasing. Many groups also give demonstrations on how to use up gluts of fruits and vegetables by teaching the lost arts of juicing or making preserves and jams. |
‘How to ..’ –talks | These are events that give people practical advice and skills, and consequently attract many different people depending on the theme. This works to increase group membership and also engage non-‘greenies’. See ‘How to’ case study in section 2.4 . |
Guides to reduction and recycling | Several groups have made their own guide to local recycling and waste reduction to help residents understand what they can and cannot recycle or how they can reduce waste in other ways. Details on recycling can be found on the Oxfordshire Waste Partnership’s website. |
Swap shops | Swap shops are an easy and fun way to engage people in waste reduction and reuse. The idea is that people bring unwanted but usable items and can take other items in return. You don’t need to bring anything in order to take something and vice versa. A guide which gives you everything you need to know about holding a swap shop can be found on the CAG website: http://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/component/remository/Information-Sheets/ |
Swishing | The art of swishing involves getting your friends together for a clothes swap. This is best done with a group of friends, ideally of similar size. Everybody attending should bring at least one items of good quality clothing or an accessory that she would feel proud of but want to pass on. Making it into a party and trying on each other’s clothing can be a fun way to help reduce waste. |
CASE STUDY 2: Dorchester Carbon Project |
Dorchester Carbon Project is a relatively new CAG, joining the network in October 2007. The group is made up from the 1000 residents from the parish of Dorchester-on-Thames, a community with around 450 households. Aims of the Group The aim of the Dorchester Carbon Project is to provide easy ways for the community to live a lifestyle less damaging to the environment by providing information, events and facilities on the doorstop. DCP Launch Their launch event was a swap shop which also had a range of eco stalls, demonstrating reduced energy light bulbs, real nappies and lots of ways to get involved and reduce waste. A member of the group attended a Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) workshop so that they are qualified to undertake PAT testing at swap shops so that small electrical items can be passed on for reuse and not simply recycled. Refill & Recycling Station The group have an established Refill & Recycling Station held weekly in the village hall. Bottles of household cleaning products such as washing up liquid and laundry liquid can be refilled and items are collected for recycling which cannot go in the council bin such as printer cartridges, light bulbs, batteries etc. Plastic bags free village In their bid to rid the village of plastic bags, they worked with the local school, St Birinus Primary to produce a design for a sturdy reusable bag. Once the bag had been produced DCP undertook a “door stepping” campaign to ask each household to undertake a small change. They worked with the retailers in the village to support the initiative and are now pleased that they have rid the village of plastic bags. Zero Waste Place In November 2009, Dorchester-on-Thames Carbon Project (DCP), in partnership with the Community Action Group Project, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxfordshire Waste Partnership were successful in their bid for Defra’s Towards Zero Waste Places funding aimed at innovative projects that would help reduce waste. Waste reduction in the school The DCP worked alongside pupils, teachers, parents and governors to reduce waste in the following areas: <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Food waste. A “Scotspin Compost Tumbler” and “Hot Box” were installed to compost all food waste to make compost for the school garden. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Paper Towels. Dyson Air Blade Hand Dryers were installed to reduce the 95,000 paper towels being sent to landfill every year. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Paper. Each classroom has a paper tray and the children are encouraged to use both sides of the paper before putting in the recycling bin. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Packaging in Lunch Boxes. The children did a waste audit of the types of packaging in their lunch boxes and took part in a workshop. The introduction of a school drinks bottle will reduce the tetrapak and other non re-usable drink containers. <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->More items for recycling. The support of the District Council has allowed a wider range of materials to go for recycling. Waste reduction in the community The DCP held “back to basic” workshops designed to get people using the things they have and reducing what they buy new. These included “Basic Sewing and Mending”, “Cooking with Leftovers” and “Natural Cleaning for Body and Home.” Other areas include promoting real nappy schemes, setting up a village re-use and swapping website, ridding the village of junk mail and getting the local businesses on board by offering them waste audits and help to reduce their waste. They have also staged some thought provoking film nights and organised several successful “recycling swap shops”. Laura Bristow, DCP secretary, said “The funding has been a huge boost to our project and will help us to work with the entire village. We want to show people that reducing waste doesn’t need to be a chore but can also be really fun and save money at the same time!” Zero Waste Place Standard In April 2010 Dorchester-on-Thames was awarded the ‘Zero Waste Place’ standard by Defra, following a series of initiatives led by the Dorchester Carbon Project. ‘Zero Waste’ is considered to be a simple way of encapsulating the aim of going as far as possible in reducing the environmental impact of waste. It is a visionary goal which seeks to prevent waste occurring, conserve resources and recover all value from materials. More details at www.cagoxfordshire.or.uk/cags/167-towards-zero-waste-places and www.lga.gov.uk/lga/core/page.do?pageId=4684811 |
Table 14: Waste resources | |
Northmoor Trust's Wild Waste Show and Bus: http://www.northmoortrust.co.uk/home/learning/wild-waste-show <!--[if !vml]--> | The wild waste bus ...comes into town to help drive your rubbish down! The Wild Waste Show is a free roadshow visiting schools and community groups. Our aim is to raise awareness of the problems caused by waste. Our imaginative workshops can make a difference to: our environment our future resources our throw-away society and our attitudes to waste |
Retrader | Retrader is a new free website service that provides businesses and other organizations with an innovative waste management resource. |
Community Waste and Recycling Guide Community waste and recycling <!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><!--[endif]--> | EST Guide for: * Individuals considering setting up a group to tackle the need for waste reduction in their community. * Community environmental groups who wish to use waste reduction as a way of engaging the general public. * Existing community waste reduction groups who wish to expand into other areas. * Projects already working with people with specific needs such as learning difficulties or social exclusion. |
Oxfordshire has an abundance of Rivers, mills and mill races, and many groups are working towards micro-hydro schemes in their local area.
Two schemes that are at an advanced stage are at Osney Weir, by Low Carbon West Oxford, and at the Goring Lock and Weir by the Goring and Streatley Sustainability Group. Abingdon Carbon Cutters also have plans to install micro-hydro at the Weir in Abingdon.
Case study 3: Goring & Streatley Sustainability Group (GSSG) | ||||
Contact: Dave Holt: 0776 570 4959 ww.gssg.org.uk
<!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->That is: To live such that we do not compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs <!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->Advance the education of parishioners to conserve more, use less energy, throw away less and pollute less <!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->Produce clean electricity from the river Thames
<!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->Equivalent to the average electricity consumption over 24 hours of 500 homes
<!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->Defined type, number, exact location and size of turbines, identified potential suppliers and provided detailed cost estimates - £1.066M - and financial return - £130,000 per annum at today’s prices <!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->Environmental Survey complete. Began June 2008. <!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->Look for protected species, invertebrates; river corridor sampling above and below weirs; landscape and visual survey; produce report Process and learnings:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->I got early support from Goring Parish Council and SODC, then the Village Planning and Amenities Association, then Streatley Parish Council <!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->I met with the Environment Agency early on to sound out their views <!--[if !supportLists]-->– <!--[endif]-->Keep people informed - there has been just one dissenting voice across both parishes
<!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Trawl the Internet for similar projects in the UK and elsewhere. There’s every likelihood that a project is underway somewhere else <!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->Be active in the community. We have run public events in the Village Hall to screen films, promoted car sharing, organized local organic ‘Food Fests’, are campaigning for allotments, and have performed a thermal imaging audit on 36 homes and a pub <!--[if !supportLists]-->§ <!--[endif]-->All this encourages Sustainable Development Funds - administered by the AONBs - to support with funding The Hydro project was instrumental in Goring winning both the South England and Oxfordshire Village of the Year competitions, being awarded the Sustainability Prize on both occasions http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/oxfordshire/8144374.stm Good hydropower contacts:<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->MannPower for Rehart dave@mannpower-hydro.co.uk <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Brendan Barrow for Rita-Atro bbarrow@ewaterpower.com (Also performs a pre-feasibility study just for expenses and fuel ) <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Neil Hindle for Spaans-Babcock neil.hindle@spaans.co.uk <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Ian Bacon - independent consultant Ian.Bacon@BlewburtonPartners.com <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Andrew Wybrow - Anser Project Management Andrew.Wybrow@Anser.co.uk <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->See the GSSG presentation<!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><!--[endif]--> from the 2009 Big Climate Event | ||||
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Table 15: Further resources for Hydropower | ||||
The River and Rowing museum in Henley has run workshops and seminars on Micro hydro projects: http://www.rrm.co.uk/ | ||||
CAT free resources guide for Micro hydro Systems: http://www.cat.org.uk/information/pdf/MicroHydroSystems.pdf | ||||
Environment Agency - Info about Hydropower: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/topics/water/32022.aspx | ||||
British Hydro power Association: A GUIDE TO UK MINI-HYDRO DEVELOPMENTShttp://www.british-hydro.org/mini-hydro/download.pdf |
<!--[if !vml]-->
<!--[endif]-->Food accounts for at least a fifth of UK greenhouse gas emissions (Source: Local Food and Climate Change, LFCC report). However, the relationship between food and climate change is more complex than simply calculating ‘food miles’ - the distance that the food has travelled. As the LFCC report mentions, ‘what you eat is more important to the climate than where your food has come from’ , and advocates ‘comprehensive lifecycle assessments which take account of the impact of all stages of the supply chain, from agricultural production through to processing, packaging, transport, retailing, home storage and preparation, and final disposal’.
Diagram source: Local food and Climate Change Report
The good news is that community food enterprises are flourishing, offer a great way to engage and involve the local community, and offer a range of positive social and economic benefits alongside <!--[if !vml]-->
<!--[endif]-->their contribution to reducing climate change.
Low Carbon West Oxford produced a seasonal recipes calendar, giving info about food and climate change, whilst promoting local produce.
Case Study 4 : Apple Days in Brightwell cum Sotwell |
Alison Bloomfield writes: “Our first Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Apple Day (2009) at in proved to be very popular. The Red Lion pub garden was transformed into an orchard market. Along with many villagers, there were visitors from Wallingford, Didcot, Abingdon and local villages, as well as apple enthusiasts from as far away as Oxford, Thame, Henley and even Maidenhead. The main comment from visitors was how amazed they were to see so much fruit and have a chance to taste so many apples they hadn’t even heard of. All were very impressed with our village juice and there was much discussion and debate about the five different blends available; all 100 bottles sold out. We started this project because we wanted to take an opportunity to showcase the village fruit, press some juice for people to try and celebrate the impressive number of varieties we have in the village. So far we have discovered 43 varieties of apple. For more information about the history of Apple Day go to the Commonground website – www.commonground.org.uk” |
Case Study 5: Charlbury Sharecroppers: |
In June 2008, Charlbury Area Waste Action Group (CAWAG) launched Charlbury Sharecroppers to help put people in touch with each other so that locally grown food does not go to waste and so that as many local people as possible can be involved with growing, picking and eating fresh, healthy food. www.cwag.org.uk . In 2008 they held four Big Apple Take-Aways on the Playing Close on Sunday afternoons between 14 September and 2 November - they were a great success. Well over a tonne of apples were redistributed and hundreds of people came along to enjoy the harvest, taste the apples and take away as many away as they wanted. |
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Table 16: Food and suppliers resources | |
Resources | Details |
Berks, Buck s and Oxon Food group
| For full details of local farmers markets, organic produce and veg box schemes, events, info and more. Contact Tamara Schiopu, Manager BBO Food Group info@local-food.net
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Thames Valley Farmers Market Co-operative | TVFM run markets in towns across Berkshire, Oxfordshire and south Buckinghamshire, bringing local food to local people. |
Big Barn: | Big Barn helps you buy local, seasonal, fresh food - and saves you money. Find local food by entering your post code or place name.
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Oxfordshire Waste Partnership (local Love Food / Hate Waste) http://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/
| Paul Mocroft: Paul.Mocroft@Cherwell-DC.gov.uk |
WRAP One stop shop for resource efficiency
| WRAP workshops: Food waste and using leftovers, buying right quantities / portion size, general food info: Emma Barnett at WRAP Emma.Barnett@wrap.org.uk |
Oxford Permaculture Group http://www.oxfordpermaculture.org/
| Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and perennial agricultural systems that mimics the relationships found in natural ecologies. The Oxford group has regular activities and workshops. |
Barracks Lane Community Garden | Barracks Lane Community Garden has been transformed by local effort from a toxic waste-filled old garage site into a beautiful garden. The project is a registered charity managed by the local community. |
Workshops from the Oxford Garden Project
| Robert Longstaff regularly runs workshops on growing food in small containers, comporting, growing with minimum input, etc. There has always been very good feedback from Robert's workshops. robert@longstaff.co.uk |
Resource: Making Local Food Work | Great resource and downloadable info pack and report ‘Local Food and Climate Change’ |
Report: Eating Oil – Food in a changing Climate | God overall report written in 2001 examining the petroleum dependence of the food industry. |
<!--[if !vml]-->
<!--[endif]-->Nationally - Transport is the source of 25% the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[vi]<!--[endif]--> . Large CO2 reductions from transport are possible, but only with real and early change in transport behaviour. This means switching modes from energy intensive travel, such as single occupancy car use and heavy air miles, to less carbon intensive forms, such as car sharing, public transport, walking and cycling. As the diagram below shows<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[vii]<!--[endif]--> , private motor transport is the dominant source of the transport sector CO2 emissions.
There is a clear correlation between the level of disposable income and distances travelled. Put simply, people with higher incomes are responsible for more transport carbon dioxide emissions. Research at the Environmental Change Institute<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[viii]<!--[endif]--> (ECI) showed that
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->The top 10% of emitters are responsible for 43% of emissions and the bottom 10% for only 1%, with those in the top 10% flying 5 times more than the sample average.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->A total of 61% of emissions were produced from respondents in the highest emissions quintile (20%).
Around 3,500 households in Oxfordshire don’t have a car<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[ix]<!--[endif]-->, so addressing transport goes side by side with addressing exclusion and isolation.
Similarly, addressing air travel is not about stopping less affluent people flying. Recent research (Predict and Decide<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[x]<!--[endif]-->) showed that ‘much of the recent expansion in flying has occurred because better off people are flying more often’.
We are reaching the end of the era of cheap oil, and rises in oil prices will have a large impact on transport as the UK is heavily dependent on oil for its transport. 74% of UK oil consumption is used for transport, and 98% of fuel used for transport is based on oil.
Table 17: Transport and Travel Activities | |
Carbon Calculators | See below and section 3.1 for the carbon calculators, which will allow you to work out the emissions from personal travel |
Cycling events | <!--[if !vml]--> |
Joining (or forming) a car club instead of running your own car, is a big step towards improving your environmental footprint. One car club car can replace between 10 and 20 private cars, meaning less traffic and more free parking spaces. You can cut your contribution to congestion, pollution and the clutter on your street. Oxford has two car clubs: | |
<!--[if !vml]--> | |
Low Carbon West Oxford: Streetcar | <!--[if !vml]--> |
Table 18: Transport and Travel Resources | |
Carbon Calculator: Act on CO2: http://actonco2.direct.gov.uk/actonco2 | Carbon Calculators to enable you to work out transport emissions |
Sustrans Sustrans Low Carbon travel info sheet http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/Info%20sheets/ff44.pdf | Sustrans is the UK's leading sustainable transport charity. Our vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the environment. See http://www.sustrans.org.uk/sustrans-near-you/south-east/oxfordshire for details of the National Cycle Network routes and upcoming events in Oxfordshire. |
Cyclox | Cyclox is the voice of Oxford cyclists, they lobby Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council for better conditions. |
ORCC has a Community Transport Advisor
| ORCC’s Community Transport Adviser (CTA) is one of a team of 3 who provide independent, impartial advice and information on a range of transport solutions |
Oxford Pedestrians Association: | Working to make Oxford a better place for people on foot |
Oxfordshire Travel Planning:
| Good overall info including school travel plans, travel to work, and planning your journey |
LoCO2
| travel planning tool for holidays and other great ideas |
Seat 61
| How to travel by train or ferry from the UK into Europe & worldwide... Train times, fares, how to buy tickets, advice & information |
It’s recognised that climate change communication and engagement has tended to attract a fairly narrow range of people, thus there is a great opportunity to broaden the reach, appeal and engagement to a broader sector of society. Here are some ideas for specific communities of interest, through faith groups, schools, businesses and campaigning groups.
Faith groups can play an important role in tackling climate change, and many faith groups are already taking action in Oxfordshire. Below we outline some of the sources and ideas for activities.
As part of the Living Faith vision the Diocese of Oxford wants to see the integration of an active concern for the environment and climate change into the life and mission of the whole diocese and its churches, and, thereby, affirm their commitment to the Fifth Mark of Mission: ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth’. The Oxford Diocese Environment Group (ODEG), which is an active group of volunteers who meet regularly and have established environmental issues within the diocese. Further information: http://www.oxford.anglican.org/environment/.
Initiatives within the Oxford Diocese is being encouraged through the collaborative website ‘Earthing Faith’: www.earthingfaith.org which aims to ‘provide a space to share ideas and experiences around the environment’ and ‘spark ideas and connect you with other peoples experiences and stories’. It is a space to share ideas and experiences, and you’ll find lots resources and actions, along with case studies of what people are doing. Visit www.earthingfaith.org where you can subscribe to stay up to date.
Table 19: Faith and Climate Change Activities | |
Living Green Experience | <!--[if !vml]--> |
Lewknor Chiltern Gateway | The primary aim of the project is to help the community understand better by personal experience and involvement the concept of God as Creator and its relevance to their day to day lives. Regular events are organised, including conservation tasks, talks, and activities such as dawn chorus walks, and film screening, such as ‘An Inconvenient Truth’. Further info: http://www.arocha.org/gb-en/whatwedo/projects/chilterngateway.html |
St Columbas United Reform Church | St Columbas have recently screened Age of Stupid, and run a carbon foot-printing session, as a first step to considering further action. |
St Mary and St John Cowley Local EcoCongregation Award winners | <!--[if !vml]--> |
Table 20: Faith Based Resources | |
Christian Concern for One World (CCOW) www.ccow.org.uk/climate_change www.ccow.org.uk/campaigns | A very helpful place for people to start is the ecumenical website of CCOW. Climate change is one of the tabs under ‘What we work on’ which that takes you to There are then 6 sections, one of which is www.ccow.org.uk/what_can_i_do/what_can_i_my_church_do which has an attachment that can be downloaded entitled ‘Church Action.pdf’. This includes auditing, energy reduction, energy suppliers, heating and insulation, transport, carbon footprints, carbon offsetting, recycling. Included are links to organisations such as Shrinking the Footprint, Christian Ecology Link, and Eco-congregation. A longer list of Christian organisations working on climate change is given in the campaigns section. ‘Finding out more’ (www.ccow.org.uk/more_information) has an attachment on Liturgical resources that gives another comprehensive list of Christian organisations. Much of this material is taken from an action kit for churches entitled ‘Walking More Lightly’ by Anne Martin. We are grateful to Anne for permission to use this material. The full resource, including a CD with a powerpoint presentation, may be purchased for £4 directly from Anne Martin (anmartin@onetel.com)’ |
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) | CTBI has material on Environment and Climate Change – see www.ctbi.org.uk/10/ . They include very extensive prayers and worship material for ‘Creation Time’ (1 September – 4 October) at www.ctbi.org.uk/BAB/295. There is a very extensive list of organisations involved in environment and climate change issues on the CTBI website : www.ctbi.org.uk/BAA/67 . Importantly this includes faith organisations other than Christian. |
Climate Justice Fund www.climatejusticefund.org | The Church of England in partnership with Tearfund have set up a ‘Climate Justice’ fund, which is being actively promoted within the Diocese. |
The Alliance of Religions and Conservation | This organisation has encouraged faith communities to develop 7 year plans to protect the living planet.
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Wisdom in Nature www.wisdominnature.org.uk | Wisdom In Nature (formerly The London Islamic Network for the Environment LINE) is a pioneer of local Islamic ecological activism in the UK, and has a presence in both London & Brighton |
‘A Muslim Green Guide to Reducing Climate Change’ www.ifees.org.uk | This guide can be downloaded from the website of the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences. |
The Big Green Jewish tops tips | The Big Green Jewish Website is a resource for Jewish people. It is the on-line meeting point between Jewish and environmental ethics, with ideas and links for information, events, actions and resources. |
The Church Of England’s national environmental campaign. It aims to challenge, encourage and support the whole body of the Church to shrink our environmental footprint. | |
The Akashi Project www.akashi.org.uk | Details about the Akashi Project, (part of Cambridge Carbon Footprint) which aimed to bring more people into the discussion about climate change, working through ethnic community networks, as well as faith communities in churches, mosques, temples and meditation centres. |
Network of Engaged Buddhists | Engaged Buddhism views the transformation of self and the transformation of the world as indivisible. Website with links to activities of network and information. |
Faith and Climate Change Project http://faithandclimatechange.wordpress.com/ | Birmingham Friends of the Earth have a neat website about their faith and climate change project, with some examples of good practice from places of worship, community groups and individuals. |
Operation Noah: http://www.operationnoah.org/ | Operation Noah is informed by the science of climate change, motivated by our faith to care for creation and driven by the hope that our society can be transformed and enriched through radical change in lifestyles and patterns of consumption. Their website is packed with useful and up to date information. |
Eco-congregation is a tool to help churches begin to address environmental issues in all that they do. It is suitable for all kinds of churches to use. Churches are encouraged to use the resources provided and apply for the Eco-congregation award | |
Schools in Oxfordshire are well served by some existing organisations that can provide free workshops and events for your school. At time of writing, 254 schools in Oxfordshire are part of the Eco-schools programme. See the resources below for ideas. In addition many schools (such as Matthew Arnold in Cumnor and Wolvercote Primary School ) have solar panels on their roofs, demonstrating renewable energy in action.
Case Study 6: The CIAO! Ark |
‘If you were sailing away on an ark to a low carbon future, what would you save and what would you leave behind?’ The CIAO! Ark Project worked with 10 schools in Oxfordshire in 2010, linking schools with scientists and artists, and culminating in a CIAO Ark Festival in front of the Natural History Museum in Oxford. <!--[if !vml]--> |
Table 21: Resources for Schools | |
Northmoor Trust’s Energy Busters and Energy Bus
http://www.northmoortrust.co.uk/home/learning/energy-busters <!--[if !vml]--> | Reduce your school's carbon footprint with help from the Energy Busters! Book an Energy Bus visit for your school. The aim of the Energy Busters school visits is to get children and teachers enthused about saving energy in their school through exciting workshops involving practical experimentation. They then re-visit the school to ensure that the message hasn't been forgotten a few months down the line and provide support to the school eco groups. The new Energy Bus is fitted with solar panels, a wind turbine and interactive displays is now available to visit schools across Oxfordshire. The bus will help to raise awareness of Climate Change and to help children reduce their energy consumption at home and in school. The Energy Bus is a joint partnership between the Northmoor Trust, Oxfordshire County Council and npower. To book your visit from Energy Busters please contact Janet Payne on 01865 409406 <!--[if !vml]--> |
http://peopleandplanet.org/sixthforms/teachers/
| People & Planet is an Oxford based charity offering an unrivalled package of global issue workshops and support materials to schools and colleges. They are experts at communicating environmental and sustainability messages to 14 - 19 year olds and empowering students to make incredible changes.
"Excellent. Very dynamic - audience was engaged and interested in issues" Teacher, Woodhouse College For schools or colleges in Oxfordshire they can provide interactive workshops to introduce the topic of climate change and inspire students to form a ‘Go Green’ action group to reduce their carbon footprints. They provide ongoing support to these groups to plan and undertake constructive actions to improve their schools and get tangible green results. From installing wind turbines, to cutting school's IT energy consumption or creating recycling schemes, People & Planet groups make a big difference. <!--[if !vml]--> Our action guide and student made films can also be downloaded at: http://peopleandplanet.org/gogreen/6ffe
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Science Oxford has a range of events and resources aimed at Primary and Secondary schools, and students. See their website for further information, plus the award winning http://www.scienceoxfordonline.com/ | |
Eco- Schools
| National Organisation Supporting Schools to go green, with heaps of information, resources, and case studies and school searches. |
The business case for rising to the climate challenge, and considering climate change and resource depletion hand in hand is getting stronger and stronger, which can help enable links between community groups and local businesses.
Did you know that:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->8% of the average business turnover is spent on energy (carbon management can reduce this by up to 20%)?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->75% of UK employees would prefer to work for a company with an active carbon reduction policy?
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->67% of consumers are more likely to buy a product with a low carbon footprint? (source The Carbon Trust).
Oxfordshire is home to many environmental businesses, many of whom are striving to show how economic success does not have to be at the expense of people, the environment or the climate. Local firms such as Best Foot Forward (one of Europe’s leading Sustainability Consultancies) and Seacourt Printers have won the Queens Award for Enterprise – Sustainable Development. Local businesses have a great opportunity to engage with energy and climate change through their activities, decreasing energy consumption, and encouraging colleagues in the workplace to take action on climate change, in turn boosting staff morale. Whether it’s encouraging greater staff / colleague engagement and action, or procuring greener products and services locally, you’ll find that Oxfordshire can deliver.
A recent report by Chatham House on SUSTAINABLE ENERGY SECURITY: Strategic risks and opportunities for business<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[xi]<!--[endif]--> listed the following as some key conclusions, which closely link energy security and a low carbon economy:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->“Energy security is now inseparable from the transition to a low-carbon economy and businesses plans should prepare for this new reality.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Traditional fossil fuel resources face serious supply constraints and an oil supply crunch is likely in the short-to-medium term with profound consequences for the way in which business functions today.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Increasing energy costs as a result of reduced availability, higher global demand and carbon
pricing are best tackled in the short term by changes in practices or via the use of technology
to reduce energy consumption.
<!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->The sooner that businesses reassess global supply chains and just-in-time models, and increase the resilience of their logistics against energy supply disruptions, the better.”
Table 22: Resources for Businesses and Workplace | |
Oxford is My World Business Pages
| For a whole host of business and climate change related resources, take a look at the Oxford Is My World Business website |
Green Breakfast series from Blake Lapthorn
http://www.bllaw.co.uk/events/events_archive.aspx
| Blake Lapthorn run a very successful series of business Green breakfasts in Oxford. You can access their archives and sign up for the Breakfasts mailing list here: www.bllaw.co.uk/services_for_businesses/climate_change.aspx and see their archives of events, with accompanying slideshows here: www.bllaw.co.uk/events/events_archive.aspx Contact: Kelly Benfield, Marketing executive at Blake Lapthorn kelly.benfield@bllaw.co.uk or call 01865 253268 |
Environmental Information Exchange
| EiE is a not-for-profit organisation that helps businesses and organisations reduce environmental impacts, from waste audits to workshops |
The Carbon Trust | The Carbon Trust works with organisations to reduce carbon emissions and develop commercially viable low carbon technologies. Offer Free energy surveys for organisations with energy bills greater than £50,000 pa For free, ongoing advice and support call their Customer Centre Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. Call 0800 085 2005 |
Business Link
| Targets smaller firms and start-ups (0 – 250 employees). 17 advisers carry out free visits and conduct small business reviews 0845 600 9 006 |
Climate Solidarity
| Climate Solidarity is a trade union response to climate change. It's about learning, working and acting together to help make the kind of society we want to live in, through action groups dealing with waste, food, travel, and home energy. To find out more visit the website. |
The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP)
| NISP is a great way to look at sourcing materials and disposing of waste through business-to-business services. It engages in a collective approach to competitive advantage involving the physical exchange of materials, energy, water and/or by-products. Visit their website for details of the South East Region activities. |
| Retrader is a brand new waste management option for Oxfordshire businesses. It’s a website that allows businesses and other organisations to pass on materials they no longer need and get pre-used materials from other businesses. There are a range of different categories of items and materials that can be exchanged, from batteries to paper and furniture to pallets. Offered by Oxfordshire Waste Partnership as a free service, similar services in the UK have saved regional businesses £1.5million on waste disposal/procurement. - giving others access to goods that would otherwise end up in Landfill.
|
SMEasure
| A free online tool to: · interact with your energy use · Assess energy wastage in your buildings · No prior energy management knowledge needed
Benefit from Oxford University Expertise: Our building energy research feeds directly into SMEasure to ensure we are giving the best information to businesses about energy savings potential. SMEasure is the only free web-based energy monitoring solution offering this information to businesses. |
Shared Energy Toolkit
www.neweconomics.org/sites/neweconomics.org/files/Shared_Energy_Toolkit.pdf | The Shared Energy Toolkit illustrates the damage climate change has already caused and shows how different climate change scenarios could affect you and your organisation. The toolkit also gives ideas about how you can improve your organisation’s sustainability, and how to work with your local community to raise awareness and increase resilience. |
Oxfordshire Town Chambers Network
| Founded as a communications network for town chambers and similar business groups across Oxfordshire, OTCN also now incorporates business parks, shopping centres, events networks and other membership organisations. |
Federation of Small Businesses
| The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's largest campaigning pressure group promoting and protecting the interests of the self-employed and owners of small firms. Worth contacting the local branches to link with other businesses who have taken resource efficiency steps. |
Case Study 7: Smarter driving, Oxford City Council |
Oxford City Council’s Plan ‘Getting our house in Order’ identified travel at work not only as a substantial source of carbon; 18% of the council’s total emissions (p7, available from www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decER/Climate_Change_in_Oxford_occw.htm ) Oxford City Council achieved a 17% reduction in fuel use carbon reductions on their fleet vehicles by investing in Smart Driving Courses for their staff. Smarter driver training from the Energy Saving Trust helps teach your employees practical techniques, which can be undertaken with any of your drivers, whether or not they drive on company business. This level of reduction would save the council an estimated £69,000 per year and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over 150 Tonnes per year. For a total investment of £5,000, the scheme had a simple payback of 4 weeks. A key aspect that contributed to the success of the project was effective partnership working across the council, including the Energy and Climate Change Team (Environmental Development), Human Resources, Motor Transport and Oxford City Homes. This enabled the prompt implementation of the scheme and maximised fuel savings. It also served to demonstrate the commitment to carbon reduction that exists within the different areas of the organisation. The Smarter Driving Schemes, This practical training session, run from your own premises by an approved driving instructor accredited by the Energy Saving Trust, is fun, informative - and could save your organisation £250 per driver on fuel bills (based on 12,000 miles per year). It takes less than an hour per driver too. To find out how to set up smarter driving training for your staff contact the Energy Saving Trust on 0845 602 1425 or access: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/smarterdriving http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/business/Business/Transport-advice/Smarter-Driving |
This handbook doesn’t currently include information about running more political campaigns, although we recognise that this is a valuable and important part of our response to climate change. Many local groups have a campaigning element to their work, allied to some of the major campaigning NGOs (non-governmental organisations). Here are some organisations that would be able to help:
Table 23: Local Climate change Campaigning Groups
| |
Oxfordshire Climate Alliance:
<!--[if !vml]--> | The Oxfordshire Climate Alliance has been established in order to share information and ideas between groups campaigning and raising awareness on climate change issues in Oxfordshire. It is formed of many local climate change groups.
OCA have organised successful high profile meetings such as ‘Ask the Climate Question’ for MPs in the run up to the 2010 elections, and a packed meeting with Ed Miliband in 2009. |
| Oxford Friends of the Earth is one of over 200 local groups affiliated to Friends of the Earth in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Actively campaigning on climate change issues. |
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/groups/oxford
| Oxford Greenpeace meets on the first Thursday of the month, 7.30 at the Mitre, High street, Oxford. They regularly hold campaign events locally. |
http://groups.wdm.org.uk/oxford/
| The Oxford WDM Group campaigns in Oxfordshire, lobbying MP’s, organising public meetings, undertaking street theatre/stunts and holding stalls to engage the public on development issues. |
A long-established local volunteer group supporting Oxfam’s work overcoming poverty and suffering around the world, with about sixty members and a varied programme of events. | |
A collective taking and encouraging direct action across the Thames Valley to stop climate change. | |
Many national organisations and networks can provide info, advice, resources and support. See their websites for details of events, particularly national meetings which are often a great way to meet other inspirational groups across the country.
There are many organisations locally that can help you on your climate change journey. Below we’ve listed some of the better known ones, together with a brief description of what they do.
Table 24: LOCAL NETWORKS AND ORGANISATIONS | |
Name and Website | Description |
Oxfordshire ClimateXchange
| Can provide info, advice, and help for starting up new community groups, and put you in contact with other existing groups.
|
Oxfordshire Rural Community Council (ORCC) | Can provide info, advice, and help for starting up new community groups, and put you in contact with other existing groups.
|
Oxfordshire Community Action Groups (CAGs)
http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/
| The Community Action Group Project is a large network of local voluntary groups in Oxfordshire. They provide day to day support for groups involved in organising events and initiatives to raise awareness and take action on climate change issues including waste reduction, promoting the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), carbon reduction, sustainable transport, and food, energy and water issues to live a more sustainable and less resource dependent life in their local community. |
Oxfordshire Association of Local Councils (OALC)
| The OALC is part of a national network and has been representing Town & Parish Councils, and Parish Meetings for over sixty years. We provide advice and information for them, and training for councillors and clerks. We represent local council interests through partnerships with other local and regional agencies in the public, private and voluntary sectors. |
Northmoor Trust http://www.northmoortrust.co.uk/
| The Northmoor Trust is based in South Oxfordshire and manages an estate of 300 hectares, including Little Wittenham Nature Reserve and Wittenham Clumps, a conservation farm, a woodland dedicated to forestry research and Project Timescape, the Trust's visitor centre. Also runs the popular Energy and Waste Buses and schools outreach projects. |
Climate Outreach Information Network (COIN)
| Climate Outreach and Information Network (COIN) is a local charity, with the aim of inspiring lasting changes in attitudes and behaviour through the use of innovative action learning methods and by assisting people to communicate their own messages to their peers. Mailing list and local events. |
Environmental Information Exchange
| EiE is a not-for-profit organisation that helps businesses and organisations reduce environmental impacts, from waste audits to workshops |
Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum (ONCF)
| Oxfordshire Nature Conservation Forum (ONCF) is a partnership organisation that has been working across the county for over 15 years. ONCF has over 40 member organisations, including the local Wildife Trust, RSPB, Natural England and FWAG as well as local authorities and community wildlife groups. |
Oxfordshire Diocese Environment Group
| Initiatives within the Oxford Diocese is being encouraged through the collaborative website ‘Earthing Faith’, which aims to ‘provide a space to share ideas and experiences around the environment’ and ‘spark ideas and connect you with other peoples experiences and stories. |
Oxfordshire Federation of Women’s Institutes | Oxfordshire branches of the Women’s Institute, with over 65 local groups.
|
The national networks below link you up with similar groups across the UK, and beyond. Many of them offer a framework for your groups’ engagement, and can provide materials and support.
TABLE 26: NATIONAL NETWORKS AND ORGANISATIONS | |
Network name | Short description |
Transition Network http://www.transitionnetwork.org/
| “Transition Network's role is to inspire, encourage, connect, support and train communities as they self-organise around the transition model, creating initiatives that rebuild resilience and reduce CO2 emissions.” |
Low Carbon Communities Network | LCCN’s aim is to encourage the adoption of low carbon and zero carbon technologies and lifestyles at a community level, and to enable groups engaged in this to be as effective and efficient as possible. See website for newsletter subscription. |
EST Greener Communities | Green Communities is a programme from the Energy Saving Trust that aims to support, facilitate and promote community based energy projects. From free training and advice focused on project planning and funding, to technical support and a website packed with resources - Green Communities exists to help you make a success of your ideas and projects. |
Greening Campaign | The Greening Campaign is an innovative idea to help motivate people to reduce their energy consumption and therefore lower their personal and community carbon footprint. |
Carbon Conversations | Six meetings about carbon reduction & climate change. Small groups meet for two hours with trained facilitators, to explore issues around climate-change and personal carbon footprints. |
Community Central | Online networking site for community groups in the UK |
Funding for your project can be essential, and sometimes more ambitious projects need large scale funding. Generating a sustainable source of income for your group can help your projects run more smoothly. Below you’ll find a list of some Grant making bodies that groups have used, plus a very helpful guide for affiliation schemes. If you know of more useful sources, please let us know.
If you’re a new community climate change group, ClimateXchange / ORCC has a small grants pot, but unfortunately does not have resources for other groups at present.
If you’re a registered Community Action Group, you will have access to a small grant to use for your group, contact CAGs directly www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk .
TABLE 27: FUNDING RESOURCES | |
Organisation | Information and Website |
EST Green Communities Funding Database | Searchable database of funding for a range of projects: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/cafe/Green-Communities/Funding-Advice |
How to get funding for your community project | Background advice for seeking community level funding. |
How To set up a social enterprise | The social enterprise model is an increasingly popular way to launch a sustainable energy scheme, or take an existing project to a new level. |
Mid counties Co-operative | Provide grants of up to £250 to support local community groups and projects. http://www.midcounties.coop/community/co-operative-community-funding |
Awards for All | Awards for All England is a small grants scheme making awards of between £300 and £10,000. The Awards for All programme aims to help improve local communities and the lives of people most in need. |
The Funding Network | The Funding Network (TFN), founded in 2002, enables individuals to join together to fund social change projects. Look for Oxford under the TFN Groups: www.thefundingnetwork.org.uk |
Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action (OCVA) | OCVA provide funding support and guidance at their many Information Points across the county, where you can also make a comprehensive search for funding using their ‘Funder Finder’ software. Most venues are by appointment only on specific days. To make an appointment to email funding@ocva.org.uk or call 01865 251946. www.oxnet.org.uk/information_points |
Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Fund New Community and Voluntary Sector Grant Programme | Grants of between £3,000 – £20,000 will shortly be available from the Fund for community and voluntary sector organisations with projects in Oxfordshire. The Oxfordshire Stronger Communities Fund is due to be launched at the end of June. At that time, full eligibility criteria, plus information about how and when to apply through one of the four funding rounds, will be available from GrantScape on their website, or by telephoning 01908 247634 http://www.grantscape.org.uk/grantshome/applyforagrant/osca.htm |
Oxfordshire Community Foundation | The Oxfordshire Community Foundation is a charity run by local people that makes grants to other voluntary groups across the county. |
The Environmental Funders Network (EFN) is an informal network of trusts, foundations and individuals making grants on environmental and conservation issues, with a full list of trusts and foundations involved in environmental funding. | |
The Charity Bank is a bank that’s also a charity. That means it has a mission: to help charitable organisations transform people’s lives – and to do this by harnessing the nation’s wealth and using it to create a social return. It provides financial support and guidance to charities, social enterprises and community organisations. They do this thanks to the support of savers and investors who want to use their money to help charities change lives. | |
Table 27: RESOURCES TO BORROW | |||
Items | Description | Available from | |
Laptop, projector and speakers | Everything you need (apart from the screen) to screen DVDs to up to 30 people | ClimateXchange |
|
DVDs | See the DVD list below | ClimateXchange |
|
Low Energy Light-bulb library | A briefcase full of a range of low energy light bulbs, plus descriptions and FAQs | ClimateXchange |
|
Thermal Imaging Camera | Local community groups can borrow a thermal imaging camera from their local authority in the following areas | SODC Cherwell DC |
|
Posters – Oxfordshire from the Ground | A set of three themed posters from sizes A3 – A0 to borrow, show casing the range of activities and events in Oxfordshire. Themes: Communities, Businesses, Eco-renovation | ClimateXchange <!--[if !vml]--> | |
2 Pull up CAG information banners | Easy to carry but more suited for inside events or those that have a sheltered location. Can be used singly or as a pair. Gives examples of what activities CAGs do | CAGs |
|
| If you are a CAG , check their toolkit for the available equipment such as banners, Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) units, and worksheets | CAGs |
|
Oxfordshire Climate Impact Posters, MPower Climate Science Posters can be accessed from: http://climatex.org/articles/sections/info-tools-and-resources/ | |
Oxfordshire from the Ground Posters | Colourful series highlighting Oxfordshire’s talents in Community Groups, Homes and Businesses, available from A4 – A1 for your displays and info events. http://climatex.org/articles/Tools/oxfordshire-ground-posters/
|
| ClimateXchange has a range of films you can borrow, as well as projection equipment. See the list below, or online at: http://climatex.org/articles/Tools/films-and-dvds/ <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->An Inconvenient Truth (2006): Al Gore's passionate examination of climate change and the environment. <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Power of Community (2005): When Cuba lost access to Soviet oil in the early 1990s, the country faced an immediate crisis - feeding the population - and an ongoing challenge: how to create a new low-energy society. More info: http://www.powerofcommunity.org/cm/index.php <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]--> <!--[if !vml]--> <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Sisters on the Planet (2009, Oxfam) – Four inspirational women and the fight against climate change More info: www.oxfam.org/sisters <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Farm for the Future: (2009) Rebecca Hosking’s programme shown on BBC2 , the programme looks at Rebecca’s father’s farm in Devon, and at her wanting to rethink the farm in the light of peak oil. See review: http://transitionculture.org/2009/02/23/a-farm-for-the-future-essential-viewing/ <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Beyond the Tipping Point? (2010) This is a film about climate change and the ways we respond to it. Through the voices of 25 people from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, it addresses a fundamental challenge for our time: how the future is imagined, and how this imagination shapes our actions in the present. http://beyondthetippingpoint.com/ <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Age of Stupid (2008, Spanner Films) Arrange your own Indi screening of this and many other excellent films. Follow the Indie Screenings link from : http://www.ageofstupid.net/ |
| Humour is a great way to introduce some lightness and accessibility to climate change. <!--[if !vml]-->
|
Online cartoons
| A good source of online cartoons can be found here: http://www.cartoonstock.com/newscartoons/directory/c/climate_change.asp Polyp Cartoons Great range of political and environment related cartoons – see note on reproduction for non profits. www.polyp.org.uk/cartoons.html<!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><!--[endif]--> |
Games
| Snakes and ladders: play climate change snakes and ladders on a giant Oxfordshire map! This is great for larger events, but needs someone to set up and monitor. Further details: http://climatex.org/articles/Tools/oxon-climate-map/ <!--[if !vml]--> |
Online games | Two online games, the award winning Climate Challenge and Operation Climate Control brought to you by Oxford based Red Redemption:, available from: http://makesyouthink.net/ |
| Oxford based Reachability has produced a range of materials, ideas for workshops and ways to engage groups of people as part of their Climate Reach project. Full details and info sheets are available here: http://reachability.co.uk/pages.lasso?pageId=16&page=prog |
Activity: Climate Change Condensed | This is an interactive, fast-moving ‘all-you-need-to-know’ introduction to climate change in just three hours. Further details: COIN http://www.coinet.org.uk/ 01865 403334 |
| Walking the Walk is a fun 20-30 minute group activity which enables participants to learn about the greenhouse gas emissions of the average UK resident. Free downloadable copy available from COIN: http://www.coinet.org.uk/news/2010-02-16/walking-walk-training-guide-now-available-download |
Local Speakers | Danny Chivers http://dannychivers.blogspot.com Do you need a climate change speaker for an event? Danny Chivers can offer talks, presentations and interactive workshops for a variety of audiences. Topics can include: <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Climate science for non-scientists <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Where do all our greenhouse emissions come from? <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->The international picture - the UN talks and climate justice <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Solutions to climate change <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Taking action on climate change Recent speaker engagements have included the National Federation of Women's Institutes, the Oxford Climate Forum and the London Sustainable Schools Spring Conference. Contact: dannychivers@excite.com . He charges for speaking engagements, but will try to fit within budgets.
Richard Twinch Design: www.twinchdesign.co.uk Architect integrating low energy design into sustainable architecture. Available for community groups within 30 mins drive from central Oxford to give talks to local groups, preferably early evening. He can present and discuss options for insulating roofs, walls and floors starting from theory to practice. The informal presentation includes handling various insulating materials and demonstrating Thermographic imaging. Phone: 01865 202108 Email: twinch@community.co.uk |
Table 29: Climate Science Resources | |
Comment and Analysis:Real Climate http://www.realclimate.org/ | RealClimate is a commentary site on climate science by working climate scientists for the interested public and journalists. We aim to provide a quick response to developing stories and provide the context sometimes missing in mainstream commentary. |
Climate Information | Presentation: Climate Change in Oxfordshire in Word and Pictures: A downloadable powerpoint presentation made in 2007, for you to use with other groups. http://climatex.org/articles/climate-change-info/climate-change-impacts-oxfordshire-words-and-pictu/ |
Oxfordshire Focused Articles | We’ve produced a host of info articles online here: http://climatex.org/articles/climate-change-info/ |
Online authoritative info on causes and Impacts: | <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Met office: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climatechange/ <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/index.htm <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->DECC (Department of Energy and Climate Change): http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/index.htm <!--[if !supportLists]-->· <!--[endif]-->IPCC (Intergovernmental panel on Climate Change): www.ipcc.ch |
Climate-Gate rebuttals | For a useful response to some of the major points raised by ‘ClimateGate’ (the illegal hacking of University of East Anglia’s Climate research Unit, see this briefing: http://climatesafety .org/climategate-a-briefer/ |
IPCC ‘errors’ rebuttal | IPCC ‘errors’ Currently, a few errors –and supposed errors– in the last IPCC report (“AR4″) are making the media rounds – together with a lot of distortion and professional spin by parties interested in discrediting climate science. For some facts and background see the Realclimate webpage: http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2010/02/ipcc-errors-facts-and-spin/ |
Working with local authorities can really help community groups. You can influence the policies they make on the environment, and they may be able to offer your group their expertise, practical support and even funding. Your local authority has a range of ways to support you and your activities. The different authorities have targets on climate change, and below you’ll find a list of key local contacts and web pages for your local authorities.
See the EST guide ‘How to influence and work with your local authority’ available from http://tinyurl.com/32ctgac
Until May 2010, Oxfordshire’s National Indicator targets on climate change included the following, but following a change of government in 2010 the National Indicators are currently under review:
<!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->NI 185: CO2 reduction from Local Authority operations, (http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/indicators/ni185/ni185.aspx)
<!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->NI 188 Adapting to climate change: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climate/action/local-authorities.htm#indicator
Local Authority | Climate change commitments / policies |
Oxfordshire County Council | Key contact: Susan Kent, Environment and Climate Change Manager Email and phone: future.first@oxfordshire.gov.uk 01865 815 861 |
Oxfordshire 2030 Environment and climate change: To respond to the challenges of climate change by minimising the effects of flooding, looking after our environment, reducing waste and use of energy to improve the quality of life for all. We pledge to: Reduce carbon emissions and improve energy and water efficiency by public sector organisations, and encourage residents and businesses to do the same. Support individuals, communities and businesses, to respond to climate change and to improve efficiency in their use of energy and water. Target: Oxfordshire’s greenhouse gas emissions reduced to levels comparable with the best in the UK - a 50% reduction in CO2, on 2008 levels by 2030 Oxfordshire County Council Corporate Plan Environment and climate change is one of four a key priorities. Our target is to reduce our carbon footprint by 18% by March 2012 (based on a 2005/6 baseline) | |
Oxford City Councilwww.oxfordismyworld.org<!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><!--[endif]--> | Key Contact: Paul Robinson Team Leader, Energy and Climate Change Environmental Development, Oxford City Council OX1 1PT, 01865 252541 |
See link to Oxford is My World initiative, with strands for householders, community groups, and local businesses. For the City Council’s corporate carbon reduction work see: www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decER/Climate_Change_in_Oxford_occw.htm See the City Council’s corporate plans here: http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decCD/Policies_and_Plans_occw.htm The City Council’s Local Area Agreements, Sustainable Community Strategy and Corporate Plan mention climate change. Specific CC policies on this page: http://www.oxford.gov.uk/PageRender/decER/Climate_Change_in_Oxford_occw.htm | |
West Oxfordshire District Council | Key contact: Debbie Haynes, Environmental Policy Officer http://www.westoxon.gov.uk/environment/envpolicy.cfm debbie.haynes@westoxon.gov.uk 01993 861349 |
WODC has a climate change policy which includes committing to reducing our emissions by 6 % according to the Local Area Agreement 2 and to achieving Level 3 of NI 188 which looks at adapting to climate change and weather impacts by 31 March 2011. Check above website, key downloads include Green Travel Plan (shortly to be updated) and Local Climate Impact Profile - impacts of climate change. You can find the Climate Change Policy at http://www.westoxon.gov.uk/files/download/6132-3265.pdf. Any other info that is useful for community groups: http://www.westoxon.gov.uk/environment/environmentgroups.cfm - this has traditionally concentrated on ecology related groups, but welcome contributions from other community environmental groups. | |
South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils www.southoxon.gov.uk<!--[if !supportNestedAnchors]--><!--[endif]--> www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/ | cynthia.sullivan@southandvale.gov.uk 01235 547363 |
Key Commitments: Nottingham Declaration May 2007 - http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/Housing/Saving_energy/Councils_commitment_saving_energy.asp Carbon Management Programme December 2009 20% (Vale) 30% (South) reduction in carbon emissions by 2012 based on a 2007 baseline. - http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/Housing/Saving_energy/Councils_commitment_saving_energy.asp and http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/content/corporate-support/sustainability/carbon-management.en What climate change commitments and policies signed up to: Local Area Agreement 2: Commitment to reduce Council carbon emissions by 6% (Vale) 20% (South) by March 2011 from a 2008/09 baseline and to be well adapted to climate change and severe weather Energy Saving Trust 1 to 1 support programme : The council is part way through developing a local area emissions reduction strategy with help from the Energy Saving Trust. This will set out actions to reduce district wide emissions. It is envisaged the action plan will be complete by the end the year. Other useful documents: The council has comprehensive online guidance on household energy saving measures including links to many websites and contact details for further help, grants and guidance. http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/Housing/Saving_energy/default.asp The council has a community grants scheme however due to budget constraints this has been withdrawn for the current year. http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/community_support_and_advice/community_grants/default.asp Useful information for community groups: <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Vale of White Horse Supplementary Planning Document on Sustainable Design and Construction: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/Images/Sustainable%20Construction%20Completed%20Document_tcm4-7490.pdf <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Vale of White Horse Residential Design Guide: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/Images/Residential%20Design%20Guide%20Combined_tcm4-7489.pdf <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->South Oxfordshire Design Guide: http://www.southoxon.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/environment/planning-and-building-control/conservation/conservation-forms-and-leaflets/design-guide/ | |
Cherwell District Council | Key Local authority contact/s: Jo Colwell and Gabi Kaiser Job description/s: Mitigation and Adaptation for both the Council and the District jo.colwell@cherwell-dc.gov.uk (Tel: 01295 221957) gabi.kaiser@cherwell-dc.gov.uk (Tel: 01295 221962) |
Key Commitments: <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Nottingham Declaration signatory <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Working in partnership with the Carbon Trust as part of their Carbon Management Programme <!--[if !supportLists]-->Ø <!--[endif]-->Long term vision is to be Carbon neutral.
See online: http://www.cherwell.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=1777 Useful information for community groups: Cherwell District Council is keen to work in partnership with any community group in the District. We hold twice yearly environment forums to support community activists and can offer on loan our thermal imaging camera to constituted groups over Winter months. | |
As yet, there is no central ‘clearing house’ for environmental information and action in Oxfordshire, so to ensure your event has the maximum publicity you’ll need to send it round a few email lists.
Do use local online networking too, but don’t ignore the tried and trusted ways of telling people about your events.
TABLE 31: PUBLICITY | |||
Use your libraries | Your local library is a great place to advertise your event, and for Oxfordshire wide events you can take posters and leaflets to the Central Library to be distributed to all the libraries in the County. Groups can also book display spaces in many local libraries. | ||
Online calendars and events | Oxfordshire ClimateXchange: You’ll need to be a member of the website to upload your info. Click ‘submit new event’ from this page: http://climatex.org/whats-new/ | ||
Oxfordshire CAGS - | |||
| Daily Information: What’s On Index: http://www.dailyinfo.co.uk/whatson/index.html | ||
| Gum Tree: http://oxford.gumtree.com/ | ||
| Oxford Mail / Oxford Times ‘What’s On’: http://events.oxfordmail.co.uk/events/eventadd.asp | ||
| BBC Radio Oxford Things To Do site: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/oxford/hi/things_to_do/default.stm | ||
Email news lists | Name of list | Frequency | Email for inclusion |
| ONCF | Weekly | cynth@oncf.org.uk |
| ClimateXchange Update | Monthly | jo@climatex.org |
| COIN Oxford Events | Monthly | richardc@coinet.org.uk |
| CAG Oxfordshire |
| simon.kenton@resourcefutures.co.uk and frances.buckel@resourcefutures.co.uk |
RM is a successful company based in Milton Park, Didcot. Below Anthony Simpson, an employee at RM, details their activity in their first year of Green RM. In 2008 RM was named as one of the top 50 green Companies in the Sunday Times Green List.
Company Information | Energy | Transport | Waste, recycling and water |
Successes and activities |
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Green RM initiated by interested staff in 2004 | Company objective to reduce electricity use by 8% (14% achieved, but weather assisted) | Removal of gas guzzlers including 4x4s from company car list. Inclusion of full life costs in full calculations, e.g. considering fuel implications. Toyota Prius hybrid has been added to the company car fleet | Introduction of office recycling. 50% of waste now recycled |
Director engagement due to multiple benefits to customers, staff and shareholders | Timer switches on office equipment | Incentive to reuse cups – remember 5 cups per day per person= 1000 per annum! | Recycling of paper, plastic, batteries, cans, CDs, printer cartridges, mobile phones and computer equipment (WEEE) |
Building awareness over 200 staff have watched the Al Gore Movie ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ | Office audits of office equipment left on overnight and divisional league tables | Reduction in food miles through change of catering company | ‘Think before you print’ guidelines to encourage staff not to print unless necessary, and to optimise printing (double sided, 2 pages on 1 etc) |
Growing interest from new applicants (including graduates) interested in corporate responsibility including eco-credentials | Created new low energy computers for schools (www.ecoquiet.co.uk) | Lift sharing scheme introduced | Projects in place delivering reduction in paper and packaging, and transferring to be from sustainable source. New customer instruction packaging contains 80% recycled content |
Huge interest from educational establishments about our environmental responsibilities | Moved company annual report, firstly to be carbon neutral, then to enable electronic distribution | Improved shower and changing facilities to encourage cyclists, walkers etc | Bringing mugs to work |
Annual Green Week to improve awareness of climate change, our activities to reduce our impact, and encourage new ideas | Switch to renewable energy supplier saving 2308 tonnes of CO2 per annum | Greener driving guidelines | Introduced Arriba office paper (Greenpeace endorsed) including using post consumer waste. Slight increase in cost offset by cut in paper use. |
Green shopping site- discounts from companies for more environmentally friendly products and services | Server visualisation to dramatically reduce the number of servers | Introduction of travel card scheme | Coffee grounds recycled for composting use at RM and by staff |
Staff suggestion email list set up (greenideas@rm.com) | Apply setting centrally managed desktops to improve consistent use of power saving facilities | Free Milton park bus passes |
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New PCs bought for internal use must be our low energy ecoquiet range, a laptop and/or LCD monitor |
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Zonal sensor lighting in Production and many office buildings to reduce lighting energy use |
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Further ideas |
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More than half the RM computers we ship will be based on ‘greener’ technology, having a net power consumption per computer of less than 80W, including display, at full system load, as measured by Orthos | Plans to reduce air milage through more effective planning of meetings and greater use of technologies such as video-conferencing |
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80% of RM desktops shipped to primary and secondary schools will incorporate eco-quiet technology |
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Parish | Group Name | CAG | Website | District |
Abingdon Carbon Cutters | Y | VALE | ||
Banbury | Banbury Ideas for Change |
| Cherwell | |
Bicester | Bicester BabyStore | Y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/ | Cherwell |
Blewbury | Sustainable Blewbury | Y | VALE | |
Brightwell Cum Sotwell | Brightwell Cum Sotwell Environment Group |
| http://tiny.cc/7mutj | SODC |
Burcot | Burcot and Clifton Hampden CAG | Y | SODC | |
Canalside | Canalside Environment Group | Y | http://cagoxfordshire.org.uk/cags-list/90-canalside-environment-group- | OXFORD |
Charlbury | Charlbury Area Waste Action Group | Y | WODC | |
Charlbury | Sustainable Charlbury |
| WODC | |
Chipping Norton | Transition Chipping Norton |
| WODC | |
Coleshill Low Carbon Village Project |
| VALE | ||
Deddington | Deddington |
| http://www.deddington.org.uk/community/greenmatters | Cherwell |
Dorchester | Dorchester Carbon Project - Living Lightly In Dorchester | Y | SODC | |
Drayton | Drayton PC ‘Green Cred’ Carbon Footprinting project |
| http://climatex.org/articles/lo-carb-communities/drayton-green-cred/ | SODC |
Drayton Green Cred |
| http://climatex.org/articles/lo-carb-communities/drayton-green-cred/ | VALE | |
East Hendred |
| no website found | VALE | |
East Oxford | Divinity Road Area Residents Association (DRARA) |
| OXFORD | |
East Oxford | Low Carbon East Oxford |
| OXFORD | |
East Oxford | Barracks Land Community Garden | Y | http://www.barrackslanegarden.org.uk/ | OXFORD |
Eynsham | Eynsham Area Waste Watchers |
| http://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/cags-list/95-transition-eynsham-area-tea | WODC |
Eynsham | Transition Eynsham Area | Y | WODC | |
Faringdon | Faringdon Waste Watchers | Y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/ | VALE |
Fulbrook | Fulbrook Climate Focus Group |
| WODC | |
Fulbrook | Fulbrook |
| http://fulbrookvillage.net/ | WODC |
Goring and Streatley | Goring and Streatley Sustainability Group |
| SODC | |
Greater Leys | Greater Leys |
| no website found | OXFORD |
Headington | Low Carbon Headington | Y | OXFORD | |
Henley | Transition Henley |
| SODC | |
Hook Norton | Low Carbon Hook Norton |
| http://www.hn-lc.org.uk/ | WODC |
Iffley | Iffley Climate Group |
| no website found | OXFORD |
Kidlington | Kidlington vs Climate Change | Y | Cherwell | |
Kirtlington | Sustainable Kirtlington |
| http://climatex.org/articles/lo-carb-communities/sustainable-kirtlington/ | Cherwell |
Launton | Launton Environment group |
| Cherwell | |
Lewknor | Lewknor Chiltern Gateway |
| http://www.arocha.org/gb-en/home/whatwedo/projects/1647-DSY.html | SODC |
Longworth Environmental Network | Y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/ | VALE | |
Milton under Wychwood | Sustainable Milton |
| no website found | WODC |
North Leigh | Challenge North Leigh |
| WODC | |
Oxford | Bullingdon CAG | Y | www.oxorinoco.org | OXFORD |
Oxford | Zero Waste Wolvercote | Y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/ | OXFORD |
Oxford Dean Court | Dean Court CAG | y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/ | OXFORD |
Oxford North | Low Carbon Oxford North |
| no website found | OXFORD |
Sunnymead | Sunnymead Environment Group | Y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org.uk/ | OXFORD |
Thame | Thame in Transition |
| http://transitiontowns.org/Mulling/TransitionThameAndDistrict | SODC |
Thame | Thame Environment Group | Y | www.21stcenturythame.org.uk | SODC |
Wallingford | Sustainable Wallingford | Y | SODC | |
Wantage Area Climate Action | Y | VALE | ||
West Oxford | Low Carbon West Oxford | Y | OXFORD | |
Wheatley | Wheatley Community Action Group | Y | www.wheatleycag.org | SODC |
Witney | Witney and Chipping Norton 'Fair Do-ers' -active in churches |
| no website found | WODC |
Witney | Witney Green Group |
| WODC | |
Witney | Witney Waste Action Group | Y | WODC | |
Witney | Sustainable Witney |
| WODC | |
Wolvercote | Low Carbon Wolvercote |
| OXFORD | |
Wolvercote | Zero Waste Wolvercote | Y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/ | OXFORD |
Woodcote | Woodcote Community Action Group | Y | http://www.cagoxfordshire.org/ | SODC |
Woodstock | Sustainable Woodstock | Y | WODC |
This resource is as up to date as we can make it (July 2010), but we will be updating it annually. If you’ve got a case study to be included, or some information or resources to share, please send them through for inclusion in the next update of this resource. You can email it to jo@climatex.org
Details needed for updates: |
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Your name: |
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Your email: |
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Your phone: |
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Update text: |
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Section in which it should be included: |
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Photos / images: Please attach these separately to the email, even if they are embed them in the text. |
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Relevant website/ links |
|
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[i]<!--[endif]--> http://archive.greenpeace.org/climate/science/reports/carbon/clfull-1.html#Heading5
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[ii]<!--[endif]--> Transition Initiatives: A Transition Initiative (which could be a town, village, university or island etc) is a community-led response to the pressures of climate change, fossil fuel depletion and increasingly, economic contraction. There are thousands of initiatives around the world starting their journey to answer this crucial question: "for all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how do we significantly rebuild resilience (to mitigate the effects of Peak Oil and economic contraction) and drastically reduce carbon emissions (to mitigate the effects of Climate Change)?" http://www.transitionnetwork.org/
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[iii]<!--[endif]--> Randall, R A new Climate for Psychotherapy article: http://www.groundswellcornwall.org/files/Rosemary%20Randall%20new_climate_psychotherapy.pdf
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[iv]<!--[endif]--> Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on the Interface Between Psychology and Global Climate Change summary at http://apa.org/science/about/publications/executive-summary.pdf
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[v]<!--[endif]--> Darby, S (2006a) The effectiveness of Feedback on energy consumption. A Review for DEFRA of the literature on metering, billing, and direct displays. Environmental Change Institute.
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[vi]<!--[endif]--> http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/statistics/climate_change/gg_emissions/uk_emissions/2009_prov/2009_prov.aspx
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[vii]<!--[endif]--> Source: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/assets/files/Info%20sheets/ff44.pdf
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[viii]<!--[endif]--> Source: Brand, C. and Boardman, B. (2008) Taming of the few – The unequal distribution of greenhouse gas emissions from personal travel in the UK. Energy Policy, 36(1): 224-238
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[ix]<!--[endif]--> Source: ORCC http://www.oxonrcc.org.uk/what-we-do/rural-transport
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]-->[x]<!--[endif]--> Predict and Decide available from http://www.eci.ox.ac.uk/research/energy/predictanddecide.php
Article by
jo_hamilton
in Lo-carb Living
Bookmark to:
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<!--[endif]-->Kidlington Vs Climate Change held Eco-Fairs at Exeter Hall in June 2009 and 2010. They made the most of the sunny weather on both days, with solar hot water demonstrations outside, and a whole host of stalls inside providing information, contacts and solutions. Both events were very successful, and their newly elected MP visited in 2010.
<!--[endif]-->Sustainable Kirtlington held a ‘Footprint fayre’ in 2008 – a village fete with a climate change theme, incorporating a dog show, quizzes, children’s art competitions and much more – and raised £500 towards renewable energy for the village hall. 
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<!--[endif]--> The bus is also available to visit community events showing how energy can be saved in the home and can even show films onboard using solar and wind power!
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<!--[endif]-->In Transition 1.0: (2009) 
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